Todays issue: Headlights

[Viney]

Right now i hope to think i know what i'm doing, but this has got me baffled.

I recently fitted a HID kit to the bike. All the ratings point ot the fact that it runs at around 2amp lass than a standard set of 55w bulbs which its been running for, well, ever!

The HID current draw is around 8amp (According to the blurb) and a pair of bulbs will draw around 9amp i believe.

So if this is the case why oh why does my battery keep going flat when i use them? I have checked the likes of Rectifier output, battery 'charge', and the readings are all good, and are the same if i run bulbs or the HID.

So what on earth is happening?

[the_lone_wolf]

It's unlikely the HIDs would draw enough amps to overwhelm your charging system without causing some kind of noticeable fault, smoke, non-function etc

Could just be a coincidental problem with the charging system?

Easiest way would be to swap back to halogens for a week and see if the problem remains?

[Viney]

Ok i will add this. If i turn them off, then the bike seems to re-charge the battery. This morning for instance Doris conked out at the lights, just died. So pushed it to the side. Wouldnt start. Turn lights off, bump it, run it for a while, turn off, and she starts fine. Run with lights and it drains the battery.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Viney

Ok i will add this. If i turn them off, then the bike seems to re-charge the battery. This morning for instance Doris conked out at the lights, just died. So pushed it to the side. Wouldnt start. Turn lights off, bump it, run it for a while, turn off, and she starts fine. Run with lights and it drains the battery.

HIDs may use less juice, but they still use some, if there's a problem with the charging system it may be that *any* headlamp system could suck enough amps to not allow the bike to charge.

Not saying they're infallible, but it seems odd that they'd continue to function normally but suddenly start drawing massive amps

[Sid Squid]

Check the charging circuit, like Wolf Boy says, a coincidental charging fault can't be ruled out, sod's law and all that.
Alternatively put the bulbs back in, see how it goes.

Or maybe you just mucked up fitting the HIDs - can't rule that out either.

I don't honestly see what the big deal is with HIDs, except for their amazing ability to fry the retinas of people going the other direction. Just about every vehicle I know with HIDs fitted has got badly set up headlamp aim and the light from the HIDs is just too intense for normal road use.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I don't honestly see what the big deal is with HIDs, except for their amazing ability to fry the retinas of people going the other direction. Just about every vehicle I know with HIDs fitted has got badly set up headlamp aim and the light from the HIDs is just too intense for normal road use.

If you were taller they wouldn't shine in your eyes...

I'm the same height as you, you just ride a unfeasibly tall bike

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Check the charging circuit, like Wolf Boy says, a coincidental charging fault can't be ruled out, sod's law and all that.
Alternatively put the bulbs back in, see how it goes.

Or maybe you just mucked up fitting the HIDs - can't rule that out either.

Erm, checked charging circut. Seems to be ok i get

Battery as is:- 12.6v
Engine running:- 14.5v
Engine running with HID:- 12.7v
Engine running with std bulbs:- 13.9v

So the HID's are running with a 1.8v drop! Hmm, not sure if thats a fault or just the way they are? It does anser the question why my battery goes flat though!

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I don't honestly see what the big deal is with HIDs, except for their amazing ability to fry the retinas of people going the other direction. Just about every vehicle I know with HIDs fitted has got badly set up headlamp aim and the light from the HIDs is just too intense for normal road use.

Because they work...well they light the road a lot better thats for sure.